Federal grand jury indicts man accused of making drugs here

October 10, 2003

GRAND RAPIDS - A federal grand jury has returned a four-count indictment against a Durand man accused of operating a highly-dangerous drug lab in an Emmet County motel in late August.

In a news released issued Thursday, U.S Attorney Margaret M. Chiara said Charles A. Harper, 32, has been charged with attempted manufacture of methcathinone; creating a substantial risk of harm to human life by attempting to manufacture methcathinone; possession of listed chemicals with intent to manufacture methcathinone; and maintaining a place for the purpose of manufacturing methcathinone.

If convicted, Harper could face up to 20 year in prison.

The charges stem from an Aug. 30 incident at the Super 8 Motel on U.S. 31 just west of Petoskey. Police and firefighters were called to the motel shortly before 5 a.m. when a guest reported a unusual smell coming from one of the rooms and fire suppression sprinklers were activated in the same room.

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Police say Harper was manufacturing the drug methamphetamine in the hotel room - a process that uses and produces highly toxic chemicals and poses a high explosion danger. Authorities had to evacuate the motel's 65 guests and 15 people were taken to Northern Michigan Hospital to be checked after they were exposed to the contamination. No serious injuries were reported.

Days later the Emmet County Sheriff's Department's investigation led to the discovery of another, more elaborate lab in a barn behind Harper's mother's Shiawassee County home.

Police said the Shiawassee County lab contained equipment and chemicals needed to make the drugs ecstasy, cat and methamphetamine.

"Methcathinone, known on the street as 'cat,' is a dangerous and highly addictive chemical analogue of methamphetamine," Chiara wrote in her release. "In the mid-1990s, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan saw an epidemic rise of clandestine laboratories dedicated to the production of methcathinone. A joint task force of federal and state agencies virtually wiped out the production of this illegal stimulant by focusing substantial resources to the federal prosecution of the laboratory operators."

Emmet County Prosecutor Robert J. Engel originally charged Harper with delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine, a 20-year felony. Engel said he agreed to let federal prosecutors handle the case because Harper would likely face more prison time if convicted under federal laws than he would if prosecuted under Michigan law. Engel said he will drop the state charges against Harper.

Harper has an extensive criminal record dating back to 1988. His prior convictions include assault with a dangerous weapon, prison escape, breaking and entering and resisting and obstructing police. He has served prison terms from December 1989 to August 1997 and from June 2000 to his most recent release on Oct. 1, 2002.

Chiara praised the efforts of the Emmet County Sheriff's Department, Michigan State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration who are working on the case together.